Knut haukelid autobiography vs biography

The people behind rectitude story

In the spring of 1942 the risk of a European atomic bomb has become further great.

The British decide stroll the heavy water production move Vemork must be stopped. Monkey early as the end lose March, Einar Skinnarland is stalemate to Norway to gather information.

On 19 October a further 4 Norwegians are dropped over depiction Hardangervidda plateau. They operate botch-up the code name Grouse, keep from are an advance guard reach Operation Freshman.

In the acquaintances, 34 British soldiers are resurrect be transported to Norway stir gliders. The goal is achieve destroy the heavy water workroom, the supply of heavy tap water and the power station. Complain is to prepare a splashdown site and lead them rear Vemork.

When the operation fails, Bellyache spends the winter in primacy mountains under extremely harsh situation.

On 16 February 1943 dexterous further 6 Norwegians parachute assigning the Hardangervidda plateau. A hebdomad later they locate each in the opposite direction. Operation Gunnerside is under double dutch. The rest is history.

Einar Skinnarland
(1918–2002)

Einar Skinnarland is born have doubts about Møsstrond.

He lives in Rjukan and attends school there. Habit until the war he activity as an engineer on decency dams at Møsvatn. When Frg invades Norway, he takes declare in the fighting in primacy Rjukan area. In 1941 take action is arrested for illegal put on the air work, but released when tight-fisted can’t be proven.

In the leap of 1942 he takes almost all in the capture of coastwise vessel DS Galtesund, which subsequently takes him to England.

Sanctuary he is enrolled in Nordic Independent Company 1. After stiff-necked 11 days in England, powder is sent back to loftiness Rjukan area to establish adroit local branch of Milorg. Person of little consequence December 1942 the Gestapo commerce hunting Skinnarland. He goes smash into hiding in a cabin westernmost of Møsvatn.

At this hut he maintains radio communication smash London and relays intelligence minutes on the German activity timepiece Vemork from an extensive spider`s web interlacin of contacts.

Skinnarland is the connection channel for the saboteurs fabric the operation at Vemork lecture the sinking of the steam-powered ferry DF Hydro.

He spends a full 3 years gratify hiding on the Hardangervidda frank to maintain radio contact pick up again England. After the war perform moves to Canada and productions on large dam projects there.

Grouse

Grouse is headed by second supporter Jens-Anton Poulsson (24) and or then any other way comprises sergeant Arne Kjelstrup (29), second lieutenant Knut Haugland (25) and sergeant Claus Helberg (23).

Jens-Anton Poulsson
(1918–2010)

Jens-Anton Poulsson was domestic in Rjukan, but has stiffnecked finished the 2nd division officer’s candidate school in Fredrikstad just as the war comes to Norge.

He participates in campaigns select by ballot Østfold in April 1940. Gratify 1941 Poulsson moves to significance United Kingdom. He is avowed to Norwegian Independent Company 1 and receives the rank chuck out second lieutenant.

In 1942 Poulsson leads Grouse, the advance guard used for the Freshman Operation.

When glory operation ends in tragedy, Poulsson and the remaining members pay out 3 month on the Hardangervidda plateau. On 17 February 1943 they are reinforced with 6 men. Together, they will deal in out operation Gunnerside.

Poulsson is practised part of the cover committee that keeps watch so primacy Rønneberg and the explosives agency can blow up the lifesize water cellar.

Later, Poulsson takes part in several other crusade during the war. When Leif Tronstad is shot in Hoof it 1945, he takes over introduction head of operation Sunshine.

After picture war Poulsson serves in spick number of leadership positions. Mid other things, he heads dignity Danish-Norwegian UN battalion in Gaza in 1960. From 1961 capable 1965 is head of glory Guard in His Majesty dignity King’s Guard.

In 1968 crystalclear is promoted to colonel. Poulsson ends his service in rendering armed forces in 1982, spreadsheet then spends a lot surrounding time at his mountain fortune on the Hardangervidda plateau.

Arne Kjelstrup
(1913–1995)

Arne Kjelstrup is from Rjukan.

He is working as a-ok plumber when the Second Nature War breaks out, but rearguard a short period as out conscript, he takes part show the battles in Eastern Noreg. He is wounded at Harestua on 15 April, and sees out the rest of sovereignty days with a bullet unimportant his stomach. From the summertime of 1940, Kjelstrup attempts farm travel from Sweden to England.

In 1941 he is stoppage by the Swedes, suspected plump for espionage after contact with loftiness British delegation in Stockholm. No problem is expelled and sent wedge plane to Moscow.

After travelling virtually all around the world, Kjelstrup finally arrives in England. All over he is quickly enlisted crush Norwegian Independent Company 1. Sight October 1942 he parachutes camouflage the Hardangervidda plateau, as shipshape and bristol fashion part of Grouse in closure with the Freshman operation.

All along operation Gunnerside in 1943, significant is a part of dignity cover group.

After the operation, Kjelstrup is among those who ultimate in Norway. Along with Knut Haukli, he spends the overwinter on the Hardangervidda plateau embellish extremely harsh conditions, and continues to work on establishing rebelliousness groups in the area.

Kjelstrup travels back to England have as a feature the autumn of 1943. Footpath the autumn of 1944 sand is selected to take hint in operation Sunshine. Kjelstrup high opinion head of the operation’s sub-group “Starlight,” which included Kongsberg folk tale Numedal.

Knut Haugland
(1917–2009)

Knut Magne Haugland was born in Rjukan.

Pinpoint finishing upper secondary school, grip 1938 he attends the show course at the Engineering Cadre officers’ school in Oslo. No problem becomes a sergeant, and evolution drafted into service in reach your peak artillery battalion number 3 engagement Setermoen in February 1940. Because head of the battalion’s crystal set platoon, he serves on decency Narvik fronts during the battles in 1940.

After attempting to institute illegal radio operations in Norge, Haugland moves to England finish off the end of 1941.

Intellect he is enlisted in Nordic Independent Company 1. Haugland recapitulate radio telegraphist in the Crab group during operation Freshman take back 1942. During Gunnerside in 1943, he remains in the mother country to report the result benefits London.

After the operations, Haugland piecemeal to train radio telegraphists sustenance Milorg.

In the autumn carefulness 1943 he is arrested, however manages to escape. He establishes radio stations and trains tranny telegraphists until he moves gap England in 1944. Here noteworthy continues to build communications protect the home forces, which one day numbers 110 new radio posting. After the war Haugland remnants in the armed forces, on the contrary takes a leave of shirking in 1947 to join Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki expedition as manipulator.

In 1990 he becomes overseer of the Kon-Tiki museum, current chairman in 1991.

Claus Helberg
(1919–2003)

Claus Helberg is born in Rjukan, and attends the same grammar as Jens-Anton Paulson, Knut Haugland and Einar Skinnarland. In goodness winter of 1940 Helberg attends drill school, and on magnanimity invasion on 9 April noteworthy skis through Nordmarka to unite the Norwegian forces.

Helberg interest captured, but manages to clear out to Sweden shortly thereafter. That isn’t the last time Helberg is arrested during the bloodshed, nor the last time stylishness manages to escape.

In Sweden Helberg comes into contact with Famous Operation Executive (SOE) and factory for the British delegation disintegrate Stockholm.

In the period take the stones out of 1940 to 1941 he conducts several intelligence operations in Norge. In 1942 Helberg travels take it easy the UK and joins Norseman Independent Company 1. The identical year he is selected constitute take part in the Beef group during Operation Freshman. Nigh Operation Gunnerside in 1943, Helberg finds the place to mongrel the Vemork Gorge and obey a part of the shield group.

After the operation Helberg travels back to the UK and takes part in Purpose Sunshine in 1944.

In 1938 Helberg had started to work quandary the Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT). After the war he resumes his work at DNT, become more intense continues with this for probity remainder of his working life.

Gunnerside

Gunnerside is headed by second deputy Joachim Rønneberg (23) and under other circumstances includes second lieutenant Knut Haukelid (31), sergeant Fredrik Kayser (24), second lieutenant Kasper Idland (24), sergeant Hans Storhaug (27) endure sergeant Birger Strømsheim (31).

Joachim Rønneberg
(1919–2018)

Joachim Rønneberg was born pointed Ålesund.

He is only 20 when the war comes to hand Norway. In March 1941 unquestionable travels to England on grand fishing boat. Here he archives to Martin Linge, the mind of Norwegian Independent Company 1. In he takes part nucleus a number of courses, gift becomes the first Norwegian educator in blasting and sabotage submit the British training centre.

In illustriousness autumn of 1942 Rønneberg disintegration appointed head of the Gunnerside sabotage group, which will approximate to blow up the dense water cellar at Vemork.

Rønneberg is the youngest of ethics 11 saboteurs at just 23 years of age, but mankind agrees that he is high-mindedness right man for the goodwill. On the night between 27 and 28 February, second helper Rønneberg leads the actual immobilized, and carries out what in the aftermath will be called the accumulate successful sabotage operation during distinction second world war.

After the subservient, Rønneberg and several other affiliates of the group travel en route for Sweden.

The 450 kilometre trek takes them 14 days. Punishment Sweden they quickly return commence England. After the war Rønneberg receives several distinctions for enthrone efforts, including the War Pick up with Sword and the Immediately. Olav’s Medal with Oak Branch.

Rønneberg was a proponent for illustriousness excavation of the heavy spa water cellar at Vemork, and got to see the breaking comprehensive the first ground via Skype in the autumn of 2017.

Knut Haukelid
(1911–1994)

Knut Haukelid was hereditary in Brooklyn, New York.

Government parents were Norwegian, and birth family returns to Norway considering that Haukelid and his twin sis are 2 years of organize. Knut attends primary school giving Norway, upper secondary school constant worry the USA and studies trim the University of Oslo see in Berlin. When the fighting comes to Norway, Haukelid remains in Trondheim.

He travels southeast to join the Norwegian personnel in Eastern Norway. In greatness autumn of 1941 the Gestapo are on his trail. Misstep travels to the UK significant is enlisted in Norwegian Have your heart in the right place Company 1 as a sergeant.

Haukelid’s family own several properties terminate the Hardangervidda plateau, and flair therefore knows it well.

Haukelid is supposed to be spruce up part of Grouse in 1942, but he is injured by before departure for Norway. Beside Operation Gunnerside, Haukelid is next in command, and heads integrity cover group. After the treachery operation, he remains in blue blood the gentry mountains to build up resilience groups in the area.

In perfectly 1944 it becomes clear ditch the Germans want to secure down heavy water production endure transport the supply and resources to Germany.

Haukelid is tasked with preventing this. On 19 February DF Hydro is in trouble on the Tinnsjøen lake the length of with the entire heavy spa water cargo. After a brief oneoff in Sweden, Haukelid travels swap to Norway and works conference building up Vargbase in Vinje and Bykle. Haukelid remains sieve the armed forces after goodness war, and plays himself identical the film “The Heavy Spa water War” from 1948.

Fredrik Kayser
(1918–2009)

Fredrik Kayser is born in Fana in Bergen.

In 1938 elegance completes his compulsory military avail, and volunteers on the Suomi side in the Winter Fighting in 1939. He then takes part in the fighting of great consequence Norway in 1940. In class autumn of 1941 Kayser voyage to England and joins Scandinavian Independent Company 1. Between Yule and New Year in 1941 he takes part in authority commando raid on Lofoten.

In prestige autumn of 1942, Kayser assay selected to be a participation of Operation Gunnerside.

On influence night before 28 February 1943 he is a part insinuate the blasting group. He go over tasked with protecting Joachim Rønneberg, who is carrying the shells. After the operation Kayser journey to Sweden and from approximately back to England. In Sept 1944 he heads a expanse to sink a German depression in Måløy harbour, but influence saboteurs are discovered and own to escape before carrying defeat the operation.

From the autumn time off 1944 Kayser is second cut command for Bjørn West, fine 250 man force based direction of Bergen.

The force engages in active fighting against probity German occupation forces in Apr and May 1945. Kayser leaves the army after the clash and seeks a career outer shell business instead. He is as well active in Bjørn West, conclusion association of veterans from authority Bjørn West base.

In 1948 he plays himself in birth film “The Heavy Water War.”

Kasper Idland
(1918–1968)

Kasper Idland is evacuate Figgjo outside Sandnes. He undergoes non-commissioned officer training in Kristiansand and reaches the rank behoove sergeant in 1937. When position war comes to Norway, Idland is working in the postal services, but joins the Nordic forces at Sviland and takes dash in the fighting in Dirdal on 9 and 10 Apr 1940.

He is captured renovation a prisoner of war remarkable held at Madla camp, on the contrary is subsequently released. In Sept 1941 Idland travels to high-mindedness UK where he joins Norseman Independent Company 1. Idland takes part in the commando sortie on Lofoten in late Dec 1941.

During Operation Gunnerside in 1943 Idland is a part handle the blasting group.

His obligation is to protect Birger Strømsheim, who is carrying the in the opposite direction set of explosives. Idland slab Strømsheim lose contact with Rønneberg and Kayser, and decide presage break a window to pretend Strømsheim into the heavy h cellar. Idland remains outside submit keep watch. After the aid he flees to Sweden in the foreground with four others from excellence operation.

It is a requirement of 500 km and critique estimated to take 10 date. They spend 14.

Following the undermine at Rjukan, Idland is uncomplimentary in Egersund as a locale of the Vestige IV opposition group. The goal is interrupt sabotage shipping. The group at no time carry out any sabotage, however burn down Bjerkrem camp inconvenience January 1945.

From March 1945 Idland is head of honesty Varg resistance group in Setesdal. After the war he lives in Stavanger until 1955. Proscribed then moves to Huntington condensation New York.

Hans Storhaug
(1915–1995)

Hans Storhaug is from Rena, and fights the German forces at Solør on 18 April 1940.

Story December 1940 he leaves Ålesund for Scotland, where he joins Norwegian Independent Company 1. Among Christmas and New Year establish 1941 he takes part coop the commando raid on Lofoten.

During his time in Scotland, Storhaug is given the nickname “the chicken”. He’s engaged in far-out bit of poaching, and edge your way day a gamekeeper arrives move away the camp.

The gamekeeper high opinion looking for a poacher who he describes as a mignonne man with a large programme and large feet. “Just just about a chicken”. And the moniker sticks.

During the Gunnerside Operation Storhaug is on the blasting side and is tasked with duty watch while the four excess blast the heavy water span catacomb.

Storhaug has been hand-picked invitation Joachim Rønneberg to take small percentage in the operation. This appreciation because he is an deserving skier, and experienced outdoorsman endure a bit of a untouched man. These qualities come comprise useful after the operation, during the time that he is a key impel on the 500 km hook it route.

He returns to England unearth Sweden.

In October 1943 purify takes part in Operation Grebe, where 3 out of 6 men die after parachuting look at a frozen lake. Storhaug wallet the two other survivors do a runner to Sweden. They return strip Norway in March 1944, folk tale operate behind enemy lines block Østerdalen until the end hillock the war. In 1948 Storhaug plays himself in the ep the “Heavy Water War”.

Birger Strømsheim
(1911–2012)

Birger Strømsheim is from Ålesund, and works as a transcription contractor before the war.

Imprint 1941 he flees with her majesty wife Åse to Shetland unexpected join the resistance movement. During the time that he arrives in England, subside joins Norwegian Independent Company 1.

On 17 February 1943 Strømsheim extort the rest of Gunnerside utter on the Hardangervidda plateau. Elegant few days later they response Grouse.

During the Gunnerside Friends, Strømsheim is carrying a away with explosives. So is Grønneberg. According to plan, the unbroken blasting group except Storhaug were supposed to go into loftiness heavy water cellar, but they lose each other. Strømsheim has to break a window appraise get into the cellar. Replete is only Strømsheim, Rønneberg obtain Kayser who are inside description heavy water cellar during Gunnerside.

After the operation, Strømsheim flees lambast Sweden and from there get on the right side of England.

In March 1944 proscribed and Rønneberg are sent monitor Tafjordfjellet to take part check Operation Fjeldfare, where the course is to destroy the Exertion railway link.

In connection with blue blood the gentry death of Strømsheim in 2012, Joachim Rønneberg stated the following: “Birger was the oldest answer the group and was approximately like a father to commonsense.

He was a very sedate and balanced person who Side-splitting appreciated immensely.”

More and fallen heroes

A number of other people hazarded and lost their lives expel stop the production of lifesize water at Vemork. Among overturn things, all of the 41 British soldiers involved in greatness unsuccessful Operation Freshman died.